New Airlines Security Rules

On December 24, 2010 the TSA indicated that it may
observe additional security measures related to
insulated beverage containers carried by passengers on
commercial flights. Full details on this issue are
described
here,

Other changes in air travel regulations were prompted by a terrorist
attempted to detonate an explosive device onboard a Delta flight from
Amsterdam to Detroit on Christmas Day, 2009. It appears clear that
the terrorist, who described himself as working at the direction of Al
Qaeda, attempted to ignite an incendiary device located in his
underpants. Although sounding humorous, if the the device had
worked it could have created a fire that involved the plane’s fuel
system, resulting in a conflagration and explosion capable of bringing
down the aircraft. As a consequence of this action, several new
rules were imposed on air travelers. We provide the details
announced by the U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA),
Information gathered from other sources, New Restrictions Imposed by
Airlines and Travel Restrictions specific to travel to the United States
from Schiphol Airport (AMS), Heathrow Airport (LHR) and all airports in
Canada.

On April 2, 2010, the TSA announced a new strategy to
guide air travel safety. There were no specifics
available about the program other than it would increase
air travel safety by using advanced intelligence sources
to avoid problems like the one that occurred with the
"underpants" bomber. We explore the details of the
announcement in our
blog .

On January 3, 2010 the TSA announced that it had
issued new security directives to all United States and
International air carriers with inbound flights to the
United States, effective January 4, 2010.

The TSA statement continued "The new directive
includes long-term, sustainable security measures developed in
consultation with law enforcement officials and our domestic and
international partners.

Because effective aviation security must begin
beyond our borders, and as a result of extraordinary cooperation from
our global aviation partners, TSA is mandating that every individual
flying into the U.S. from anywhere in the world traveling from or
through nations that are state sponsors of terrorism or other countries
of interest will be required to go through enhanced screening. The
directive also increases the use of enhanced screening technologies and
mandates threat-based and random screening for passengers on U.S. bound
international flights."

Although the TSA announcement did not specify
particular actions, we understand that
passengers flying to the United States whose
travel originated in Nigeria, Pakistan, Somalia,
Syria, Iran, Sudan, Yemen, Afghanistan, Libya,
Saudi Arabia, Algeria, Lebanon, Iraq and
Cuba will require pat-down body searches and
have carry-on baggage hand-searched.

On December 27, 2009, TSA released this
information

Q: What additional security measures
is TSA taking domestically?A: TSA
has a layered approach to security that allows
us to surge resources as needed on a daily
basis. We have the ability to quickly implement
additional screening measures including
explosive detection canine teams, law
enforcement officers, gate screening, behavior
detection and other measures both seen and
unseen. Passengers should not expect to see the
same thing at every airport.

Q: What additional security measures
are being taken for international flights to
U.S. destinations?A: TSA issued a
directive for additional security measures to be
implemented for last point of departure
international flights to the United States.
Passengers flying into the United States from
abroad can expect to see additional security
measures at international airports such as
increased gate screening including pat-downs and
bag searches. During flight, passengers will be
asked to follow flight crew instructions, such
as stowing personal items, turning off
electronic equipment and remaining seated during
certain portions of the flight.

Q: Do passengers need to do anything
differently to prepare for checkpoint security
procedures? Has anything changed in terms of
what passengers can bring in their carry-on or
checked bags?A: At this time,
security checkpoint requirements for passengers
departing U.S. airports remain the same.
Passengers do not need to do anything
differently, but they may notice additional
security measures at the airport.

Q: Should passengers plan to arrive
at airports earlier than normal?A:
Passengers traveling within the United States
should give themselves extra time to check in
and proceed through the security checkpoint
before their flight, especially during the busy
holiday travel season. TSA advises that
passengers traveling on international flights to
U.S. destinations allow extra time for security
and arrive an additional hour earlier.

Q. How long will these measures
remain in place?A: TSA will
continuously review these measures to ensure the
highest levels of security.

Be sure to check with your airline on updates to
these restrictions before flying.

The security teams at several international airports
have been conducting increased security checks,
including more frequent use of “pat-downs” to check for
concealed devices that may be inert until mixed with
other elements. In addition, many airlines are once
again restricting carry-ons to one bag, which may not be
accessed during the final hour of flight, if the flight
is landing in the United States. In addition, some
airlines are requesting that personal items not be
placed on the lap during the final hour of the flight.
It appears that other airlines are restricting the use
of blankets as covers during the final hour of flight,
due to the terrorist covering himself with a blanket
before he attempted to ignite the device he was
carrying. In addition, some airlines appear to be
restricting passengers to their seats during the final
60 minutes of flights before landing. In cases of
short flights, this may lead to being seated for the
duration of the flight. On December 28, 2009,
several airlines ended the restriction on in-flight
movements of passengers, although the TSA had not
announced any changes in procedures.

We will report more details on the potential for
increased airline security when it happens. For now, it
seems prudent to arrive at the airport early if you will
be boarding an international flight for the United
States or domestic and international flights originating
in the United States.

As always, we recommend prudence when flying or when
traveling away from home. While we cannot speak for
others, in our opinion, the world outside our home is
too important to ignore and too beautiful to disregard.
We will continue to travel, as we believe that knowing
more about other cultures is the best road to
understanding and, eventually, peace.

If you need information on carry-ons and the types of
liquids you can currently carry onboard airline cabins,
see this
article

Be sure to check with your airline on updates to these
restrictions before flying.

Finally, please note that several airlines are now
limiting carryon luggage for flights to the United
States from Europe and Canada. The limitation now
being applied is one carry-on item and replaces the
former allowance of one bag and one personal item.
Many of these airlines are waving this restriction for
their premium passengers and elite members of their
mileage programs. Check with your air carrier to
be sure of their policy.

In addition, several airlines
are now requesting that you arrive at the airport three hours early for
flights from Europe and Canada to the United States.
Be sure to check with your airline on updates to these
restrictions before flying.

Passengers departing Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport (AMS) directly to the
United States are limited to one carry-on bag, which may not exceed 45
linear inches (114.3 linear centimeters). Medical assistance
devices will be allowed in addition to the single carry-on item.

Be sure to check with your airline on updates to these
restrictions before flying.

From Canada to the United States

Travel from any
destination in Canada to the United States also are allowed only one
carry-on bag. The bag must not exceed the dimensions of 9 x 16 x
22 inches (or 23 x 40 x 55 centimeters).

The following items, according to the Transport
Canada website, do not count towards the one carry-on
bag limit:

One of the following will be permitted in
addition to the carry-on bag: a purse or laptop* or
camera bag**.

A cane, walker, crutches or other
life-sustaining items may be carried in addition to
the carry-on bag.
Medical equipment (oxygen tank, doctor’s bag) may be
carried in addition to the carry-on bag.
Diaper bags and other essential items for those
carrying infants may be carried in addition to the
carry-on bag.

A musical instrument may be carried in addition
to the carry-on bag.

Pets may be carried in addition to the carry-on
bag.

All duty free items purchased after the security
check may also be carried onto the aircraft.
Diplomatic or consular bags

*Regular carrying cases for laptop computers
means small bags designed only to hold a laptop
computer and its accessories. Laptop cases that have
extra compartments (e.g., expandable cases, cases
with wheels and a collapsible handle, backpack-type
cases) are allowed, but count as the person’s one
carry-on bag.

**Cameras and accessories in purpose-designed
carrying cases (applies to both still and video
cameras, including large, professional-grade cameras
and equipment)

The Canadian Air Transport Security Authority provides a FAQ on these
limitations at their
website.
Note that while you can still carry a laptop
computer on-board, it must be transported in a "basic" laptop bag
containing only computer accessories and one or two thin file folders,
with no other items.

Be sure to check with your airline on updates to
these restrictions before flying.

Travel from London to the United States

Travelers
flying to the United States from London Heathrow (LHR) are limited to
one carry-on bag, which
may not exceed 45 linear inches in length plus width and height (114.3
linear centimeters). Medical assistance devices will be allowed in
addition to the single carry-on item.

Be sure to check with your airline on updates to these restrictions before
flying.

In February of 2009 the TSA indicated that it would increase the
random testing of passengers' hands for explosive residues. For a
complete examination of this topic, see our article on
Explosive Trace
Detection.

In 2008 the U.S. Department of Transportation issued a new set
of guidelines for air travelers carrying battery-powered devices and
spare batteries to power them. The main concern is lithium batteries and
we present the new rules and a visual guide to understanding the
restrictions on carrying lithium batteries in checked and carry-on
luggage
here.